London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

Updated 12:35 PM ET, Tue May 1, 2012

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – London's auction houses last week celebrated 'Islamic Week,' with a series of sales featuring opulent items from across the Islamic world. This late 13th-century Arabic manuscript, from Baghdad, was among the lots for sale at Christie's.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This blue and white dish, covered in stylized peonies and leaves, was made in the Turkish town of Iznik, famed for its pottery, in about 1570. It sold for £61,250 at Bonhams.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This gem set rock crystal bottle was up for auction at Christie's. Encrusted with gold and precious stones, it dates back to 17th century Mughal India.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This intricately carved marble basin was made in Syria in the 12th century, and would originally have stood in a mosque or other public building. It went under the hammer for $312,400 at Bonhams auction house.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This mid 17th century portrait of the Emperor Jahangir, from Mughal India, is one of a series of items from the Islamic and Indian worlds that were sold at Christie's to benefit the University of Oxford.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This 16th-century Ottoman sword, decorated with gold and inlaid with precious stones, was one of a number of ornate weapons to go under the hammer at Christie's.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This bronze portrait medal of Mehmed II, who overthrew the Byzantine empire, dates to the 15th century. It is one of the only portraits of the Sultan in existence, and was offered for sale by Baldwin's auctioneers.

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Photos:London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week'

London's salerooms celebrate 'Islamic Week' – This grey schist roundel is carved with a scene of lions and deer. It dates back to 15th century Iran, and was offered for sale at Christie's.